Apparatus and method for setting vehicle door glass to vehicle body

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for setting a door glass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body includes a frame for attachment to an inner panel of a vehicle door, at least one slide assembly to engage a vehicle body and to move a door glass of the vehicle door, and at least one locator on the slide assembly to locate and set the door glass relative to the vehicle body.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/286,311,filed Aug. 5, 1994 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to vehicle doors and, morespecifically, to an apparatus and method for setting door glass of avehicle door to a vehicle body.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known to provide vehicles such as automotive vehicles with a doorhaving a frameless design. In this type of vehicle door, glass for awindow of the vehicle door has no frame around it and the door glass isfree-standing to mate with the body of the vehicle. During production ofthe vehicle, the vehicle door is attached to the vehicle body as thevehicle moves along an assembly line. Typically, an operator enters thevehicle body, closes the vehicle door and locates the door glass to thevehicle body through an interactive technique. Once located, theoperator then secures the door glass to the vehicle door, opens thevehicle door and exits the vehicle body. Although this assembly hasworked well, it suffers from the disadvantages that the operator has toenter the vehicle body and the ergonomics of assembly are poor on theoperator.

To overcome these disadvantages during production of the vehicle, it isknown to take the vehicle door off the vehicle body and from theassembly line to a remote assembly station. In the remote assemblystation, the vehicle door is placed in a support structure and a fixtureis moved by an operator for attachment to the vehicle door. Once thefixture is attached to the vehicle door, the operator adjusts the doorglass to the vehicle door via blocks and secures the door glass to thevehicle door. Although this remote assembly has worked well to improveergonomics of assembly on the operator, it suffers from the disadvantagethat the remote assembly does not transfer the position of the vehiclebody to the vehicle door for setting the door glass relative to thevehicle body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is an apparatus for setting a doorglass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The apparatus includes aframe for attachment to an inner panel of a vehicle door and at leastone slide assembly mounted on the frame to engage a vehicle body and tomove a door glass of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body. Theapparatus also includes at least one locator on the slide assembly tolocate and set the door glass relative to the vehicle body.

Additionally, the present invention is a method for setting a door glassof a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The method includes the steps ofattaching a frame to an inner panel of a vehicle door, engaging avehicle body with at least one slide assembly mounted on the frame andmoving a door glass of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body.The method also includes the steps of locating the door glass with atleast one locator on the slide assembly and setting the door glassrelative to the vehicle body.

One feature of the present invention is that an apparatus and method areprovided for setting a door glass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body.Another feature of the present invention is that the apparatus isutilized on a moving assembly line for setting the door glass relativeto the vehicle body. Yet another feature of the present invention isthat the apparatus locates two points in spacial x,y,z directions fromthe vehicle body and transfers these points to the vehicle door forsetting the door glass relative to the vehicle body. Still anotherfeature of the present invention is that the apparatus and method allowthe operator to stay outside the vehicle body to set the door glass. Afurther feature of the present invention is that the apparatus andmethod improve the ergonomics on the operator and can be performed atassembly line speeds. Yet a further feature of the present invention isthat the apparatus and method provide more accurate setting of the doorglass to the vehicle body to reduce wind/noise and water entry. Yetanother feature of the present invention is that the apparatus isutilized to spacially identify the relationship of the vehicle door tothe vehicle body.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door for use in an apparatus,according to the present invention, for setting door glass of thevehicle door to a vehicle body.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the vehicle door of FIG. 1 with thedoor glass removed and illustrated in operational relationship with avehicle body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus, according to the presentinvention, for setting the door glass and illustrated in operationalrelationship with the vehicle door and vehicle body of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the apparatus andvehicle body of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of another portion of the apparatusand vehicle body of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus and vehicle door of FIG.3.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the vehicle door ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle10 such as an automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body, generallyindicated at 12, and a vehicle door, generally indicated at 14,pivotally attached to the vehicle body 12 by suitable means such ashinges 15. The vehicle body 12 includes a roof 16 having a roof rail 18and a front windshield 20 having a pillar 22. The roof rail 18 andpillar 22 have a locator opening 24 and 26, respectively, for a functionto be described.

The vehicle door 14 includes an outer panel 28 and an inner panel 30joined together and forming a space 31 therebetween. The vehicle door 14also includes an aperture 32 at an upper end thereof. The inner panel 30has a plurality of control openings 34 and a plurality of controlsurfaces 36 for a function to be described. The vehicle door 14 includesa door latch 37 for engagement with a door striker 38 attached to thevehicle body 12 to releasably latch the vehicle door 14 to the vehiclebody 12 in a closed position. The vehicle door 14 further includes adoor glass 40 made of a transparent material such as glass or plasticand disposed between the outer panel 28 and inner panel 30 for movementin and out of the space 31 as is known in the art. The door glass 40 islocated to the vehicle door 14 by suitable means such as stabilizerbrackets 42 and up-stops 44 secured to the inner panel 30 by suitablemeans such as fasteners 46. The vehicle door 14 includes a door windowregulator mechanism, generally indicated at 48, for raising and loweringthe door glass 40. The door window regulator mechanism 48 is secured tothe door glass 40 and inner panel 30 by suitable means such as fasteners50. The vehicle door 14 may include a sail 52 located longitudinallyforward adjacent the door glass 40. The sail 52 is adjustablelongitudinally relative to the inner panel 30 as illustrated in FIG. 7.The sail 52 is secured to the inner panel 30 by suitable means such asfasteners 53. It should be appreciated that the vehicle door 14 isconventional.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 8, an apparatus, generally indicated at 54and according to the present invention, is illustrated for setting thedoor glass 40 relative to the vehicle body 12. The apparatus 54 includesa frame, generally indicated at 56, for attachment to the vehicle door14. The frame 56 includes a base member 58 extending generallylongitudinally and a leg member 60 extending generally vertically ordownwardly near each end of the base member 58. Each leg member 60 hasat least one locating block 62 for mating engagement with the controlsurfaces 36 of the inner panel 30. The frame 56 also includes aplurality of support members 64 interconnecting the base member 58 andleg members 60 to strengthen the same. The frame 56 further includes atleast one locating pin 66 on each leg member 60 for mating engagementwith the control openings 34 of the inner panel 30. It should beappreciated that the locating blocks 62 and locating pins 66 locate theapparatus 54 relative to the vehicle door 14.

The apparatus 54 includes, at least one, preferably a plurality ofclamps, generally indicated at 68, for securing the frame 56 to theinner panel 30. The clamps 68 have a clamping member 70 and a cylinder72 such as a pneumatic cylinder for moving the clamping member 70 toengage and disengage the inner panel 30. It should be appreciated thatthe cylinder 72 is connected to a source of power (not shown) such asair.

The apparatus 54 also includes an attachment member 74 attached to thebase member 58. The attachment member 74 has an inverted "U" shape. Theapparatus 54 includes a torque bar 76 pivotally attached at one end tothe attachment member 74. The torque bar 76 has another end fixedlyattached to a power or air balance assist lift, generally indicated at78. The power assist lift 78 allows the apparatus 54 to be easily liftedand moved by an operator. It should be appreciated that the power assistlift 78 is conventional.

The apparatus 54 further includes a plurality, preferably a pair, ofslide packages or assemblies, generally indicated at 80. Each slideassembly 80 includes a mounting plate 82 secured to the base member 58.Each slide assembly 80 also includes a gauge pin 84 which is movablyconnected to a toggle arm 86. The toggle arm 86 is pivoted or rotated toslide the gauge pins 84 into and out of engagement with the locatoropenings 24 and 26. Each slide assembly 80 includes an up-stop locator88 for locating the Hi/Low setting of the door glass 40 as is known inthe art. Each slide assembly 80 further includes a trap block 90pivotally attached to a rocker arm 92 to determine the In/Out setting ofthe door glass 40 as is known in the art. It should be appreciated thatthe slide assemblies 80 are moveable in three axes and are of the typecommercially available from "THK" SLIDE BEARINGS, Detroit, Mich.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the apparatus 54 includes an adjustmentdevice, generally indicated at 94, for adjusting the In/Out setting ofthe door glass 40. The adjustment device 94 includes an adjustment block96 pivotally connected to a support block 98. The adjustment device 94also includes a slide member 100 attached to the support block 98 and atoggle arm 102 attached to the slide member 100. The toggle arm 102 ispivoted to slide the slide member 100 longitudinally into and out ofengagement with the door glass 40. It should be appreciated that theadjustment block 96 may be rotated to move the door glass 40 in and outrelative to the vehicle body 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6 and 8, the apparatus 54 includes a controlbox, generally indicated at 104, for controlling the slide assemblies80. The control box 104 includes a microprocessor (not shown) and isattached to the base member 58 of the frame 56. The microprocessorcontrols the movement of the slide assemblies 80 and determines theIn/Out setting of the door glass via an input from the rocker arm 92.The control box 104 includes buttons 106 for actuating the clamps 68 toclamp and unclamp the frame 56 to the vehicle door 14. The control box104 also includes displays 108 to provide a display or readout ofinformation from the microprocessor. The control box 104 also includesbuttons 110 to move the slide assemblies 80 and raise and lower the doorglass 40. It should be appreciated that the control box 104 iscommercially available from KemKraft Engineering, Inc. of Livonia, Mich.

In operation, the operator uses the power assist lift 78 to move theapparatus 54 adjacent the inner panel 30 of the vehicle door 14. Theoperator locates the control blocks 62 and control pins 66 relative tothe control surfaces 36 and control openings 32, respectively. Theoperator clamps the frame 56 to the inner panel 30 via the clamps 68 byactuating the buttons 106 on the control box 104. The operator thenconnects a power wire 112 (FIG. 6) from the control box 104 to the doorwindow regulator mechanism 48. The operator then closes the vehicle door14 such that the door latch 37 engages the door striker 38. The operatorthen moves the toggles 86 on the slide assemblies 80 to move the gaugepins 84 into engagement with the locator openings 24 and 26. Theoperator then adjusts and secures the sail 52 to the inner panel 30 asillustrated in FIG. 7.

After the sail 52 is secured, the operator moves the toggle 102 to closethe adjustment block 96 on the door glass 40. The operator retracts thegauge pins 84 by moving the toggles 86 and opens the vehicle door 14.The operator then moves the door glass 40 upward by actuating a button110 on the control box 104 to allow power from the control box 104 tothe door window regulator mechanism 48. The door glass 40 is movedupward until it hits the blocks 88 to set the Hi/Low position of thedoor glass 40. The operator tightens the fasteners 46 to the up-stops 49to secure the door glass 40 to the door window regulator mechanism 48.

After the up-stops 49 are secured, the operator then reads the displays110 on the control box 104. If the control box 104 displays the correctIn/Out setting of the door glass 40 via the rocker arms 92, the operatortightens the fasteners 46 to the stabilizer brackets 42 to set theIn/Out position of the door glass 40. However, if the control box 104displays the incorrect In/Out setting of the door glass 40 via therocker arms 92, the operator rotates the adjustment block 96 until thecorrect setting is displayed. The operator then tightens the fasteners46 to the stabilizer brackets 42 to set the In/Out position of the doorglass 40. The door glass 40 is moved downward by actuating anotherbutton 110 on the control box 104 to allow power to the door windowregulator mechanism 48. The operator then actuates the buttons 106 onthe control box 104 to unclamp the clamps 68 and removes the frame 56from the vehicle door 14.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise thanas specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for setting a door glass of a vehicledoor to a vehicle body while the vehicle door is attached to the vehiclebody, said method comprising the steps of:providing a vehicle bodyhaving a door striker, a locator opening, and a vehicle door pivotallyattached to the vehicle body, wherein the vehicle door includes:i) aninner panel having at least one control surface and at least oneopening; ii) a door window regulator mechanism; iii) a door latch; andiv) a door glass slidably attached to the vehicle door; providing anapparatus including:i) a frame having at least one control block and atleast one control pin; and ii) at least one slide assembly attached tothe frame, wherein the at least one slide assembly has a locator block,at least one setting block, and a gauge pin attached to a toggle arm;providing a sail; engaging the at least one control block with the atleast one control surface, and inserting the at least one control pininto the at least one opening of the inner panel, thereby locating theframe in a desired position relative to the vehicle door; attaching theframe in the desired position to the inner panel of the vehicle door;connecting a power source to the door window regulator mechanism of thevehicle door; closing the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body byan operator outside of the vehicle body such that a door latch on thevehicle door engages a door striker on the vehicle body; moving thetoggle arm on the at least one slide assembly and disposing a gauge pinof the at least one slide assembly in a locator opening in the vehiclebody to locate the frame relative to the vehicle body to adjust a sail;adjusting and securing the sail to the inner panel; engaging the locatorblock with a lateral edge of the door glass, thereby positioning thedoor glass relative to the sail; moving the toggle arm and retractingthe gauge pin from the locator opening after the sail is secured andopening the vehicle door; supplying power from the power source to thedoor window regulator mechanism and causing the door glass to slideupwardly relative to the vehicle door until the door glass contacts theat least one setting block; and setting the door glass relative to thevehicle body.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step ofdetermining an In/Out setting of the door glass.
 3. A method as setforth in claim 2 including the step of adjusting the In/Out setting ofthe door glass.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the stepof clamping the frame to the inner panel prior to said step of engaging.5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of settingcomprises securing the door glass to the vehicle door.
 6. A method forsetting a door glass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body, comprising thesteps of:providing a vehicle body having a door striker, a locatoropening, and a vehicle door pivotally attached to the vehicle body,wherein the vehicle door includes:i) an inner panel having at least onecontrol surface and at least one opening; ii) a door window regulatormechanism; iii) a door latch; and iv) a door glass slidably attached tothe vehicle door; providing an apparatus including:i) a frame having atleast one control block and at least one control pin; and ii) at leastone slide assembly attached to the frame, wherein the at least one slideassembly has a locator block, at least one setting block, and a gaugepin attached to a toggle arm; providing a sail; engaging the at leastone control block with the at least one control surface, and insertingthe at least one control pin into the at least one opening of the innerpanel, thereby locating the frame in a desired position relative to thevehicle door; then attaching the frame in the desired position to thevehicle door; then connecting a power source to the door windowregulator mechanism; then pivoting the vehicle door relative to thevehicle body until the door latch engages the door striker, therebyclosing the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body; then moving thetoggle arm, thereby moving the gauge pin into the locator opening, andthereby locating the apparatus in a set position relative to the vehiclebody; then adjusting and securing the sail to the inner panel; thenengaging the locator block with a lateral edge of the door glass,thereby positioning the door glass relative to the sail; then moving thetoggle arm, thereby retracting the gauge pin from the locator opening,and thereby disengaging the apparatus from the vehicle body; thendisengaging the door latch from the door striker and pivoting thevehicle door relative to the vehicle body, thereby opening the vehicledoor relative to the vehicle body; and then supplying power from thepower source to the door window regulator mechanism, while the locatorblock remains engaged with the lateral edge of the door glass, therebycausing the door glass to slide upwardly relative to the vehicle dooruntil the door glass contacts the at least one setting block, andthereby positioning the door glass relative to the vehicle body.